Own author
In 2014, with a 500-kilometer protest, Frances became the center of attention in Colombia.
Francia Marquez | Photo: AFP / Instagram
വColorful dresses, large necklaces and earrings, and confident eyes. But Francia had a past of no color, only of gray, full of despair and sadness. A time when he lived by doing housework for a day’s food and working in a gold mine. In addition, a 16-year-old baby may need to cough in the abdomen.
But the seeds of determination dissolved in the blood of blacks also sprouted in France. She overcame every crisis with her strong life. Eventually he took a seat at Colombia’s governing center and heated up the political debate.
Protest by walking 500 km
Francia was born in the southwestern Coco region of Colombia. His childhood was spent on the banks of the Ovejas River, which has been inhabited by Colombians of African descent since the 17th century. Her mother and she lived by farming and mining clay. It was at the age of 15 that Francia took her first step towards resistance.
Francia joined the protesters when an international company came up with a plan to build a dam across the river. She did not stop the agitation that started that day. It was the beginning of her growth into an environmental activist.
In 2014, with a 500-kilometer protest, Francia became the center of attention in Colombia. The march was in protest against the illegal gold mining that started operations on the banks of the Ovejas River. Mining mafias, which use large amounts of mercury to separate gold from water, have polluted river water and destroyed biodiversity.
With this, they organized 80 women and marched from Cocoa to Bogota. A journey of 500 km that lasted 10 days. They protested in front of the Home Ministry for 20 days. Justice was finally served. The government has ordered an end to all illegal mining along the river.
Goldman Prize
After graduating with a degree in law, Marquez introduced his struggle to the masses through his lectures. In universities, they constantly interacted with students. He came to take classes as a special guest of many political parties and NGOs.
Her work also earned her the Goldman Prize (the Nobel Prize equivalent in the field of environment). This was in 2018. The following year, Francia was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women in the World.
In politics from 2020
Francia’s debut in politics was in 2020. They made no attempt to conceal his desire. Their hope was that through politics, people of African descent could be provided with a better standard of living. Stepping into politics, she wrote on Twitter: ‘I am also preparing to be a candidate to lead this country to progress. I want people to live free and dignified lives. I want to put an end to the problems in our area and make it a place to live. ‘
In the same year, they started the ‘Iam Bikwas VR’ movement. She also ran in the early stages of becoming president in March 2022 as part of the Left Alliance. Reached third and surprised everyone. With this, Gustavo Petro did not have to think twice about choosing Francia as his political partner.
Pregnant and unmarried mother at 16 years of age
In the run-up to the election, people witnessed Francie’s fiery speeches during the campaign. Each of their campaigns was always a reminder of his roots. ‘I am an Afro-Colombian woman, an unmarried mother, I have two children, gave birth to my first child at the age of 16 and did housework to make a living. But I’m also an award-winning environmentalist. After all, a lawyer preparing to become Colombia’s first black vice president. If our governments had done justice to the people and created an atmosphere of peace for them, if they had done their job properly, I would not be a competitor in front of you today. ” Their words at the campaign rallies pierced the hearts of the people.
Francia’s announcement was that it was time to move from defense to power. The people of Colombia could not pretend not to see all this. The people did not think twice to name him Vice President with the name of Francia, which the common man could understand. Born After History!
Content Highlights: francia marquez from maid to colombias first black vice president
Add Comment
View Comments ()